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PESHAWAR: Awami National Party has expressed reservations over the decision of Election Commission of Pakistan to deploy security personnel inside the polling stations, fearing it will strengthen doubts about poll rigging for bringing a certain party into the power.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, ANP former senator Ilyas Ahmed Bilour said that other political parties had objected to deployment of army personnel inside the polling stations and hurdles in their election campaign. He said that ECP should ensure free, fair and impartial elections.

On the occasion, PPP senior worker Mohammad Iqbal Khan along with his relatives quit his party and announced to join ANP. ANP district president Malik Mustafa, candidate for PK-76 Haji Hidayatullah and candidate for PK-77 Haji Umer Khan Mohmand were also present on the occasion.

Expressing his shock over the killing of his nephew Haroon Bilour and other workers in a suicide bombing in Peshawar, the ANP leader said that it was irreparable loss. He said that the tragedy disturbed the election campaign but his party was in the field to take part in the elections.

Regarding investigation into the suicide blast case, Mr Bilour said that nobody had approached his family members in connection with the probe. He said that his party believed in democracy and would bring reforms in government departments. He said that during the past five years, PTI had done nothing for public welfare in the province rather ruined infrastructure in Peshawar.

Speaking on the occasion, other ANP leaders alleged that only one political party was running election campaign freely while others were facing problems in the drive. They urged government to provide protection to political workers and candidates so that they could continue the campaign wholeheartedly.

Iqbal Khan said that the PPP leadership had forgotten the mission of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto to provide basic facilities to the people.

“I have served PPP for 45 years and endured a lot of troubles for its promotion but the party leaders are not ready to encourage sincere workers so I quit it,” he added.

Meanwhile, ANP senior vice president Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has said that Chief justice of Supreme Court Justice Saqib Nisar should not have ordered to withdraw security from politicians.

“I have respect for the chief justice. But he should not interfere in administrative affairs,” he told journalists at his residence here on Monday. He said that chief justice should not issue order to the executive to withdraw security from politicians.

The ANP leader backtracked from his statement in which he had stated that “our own people, who have benefited” from his nephew’s murder, not Taliban, were involved in the suicide attack occurred in Peshawar last week.

“I never said that Taliban did not kill Haroon. I stated that those people, who got most advantage from the killing of Haroon, were involved. I don’t understand as to why we are being targeted,” said Mr Bilour.

He said that they had collected some information and security agencies would also have collected evidence about the perpetrators, who had planned the suicide attack in Yakatoot.

Haroon Bilour, who was ANP candidate for PK-78, was killed along with 21 others when suicide bomber attacked the corner meeting of ANP in Yakatoot last week. Around 30 people were wounded in the blast. Proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mr Bilour said that his slain nephew needed security. He said that terrorists could easily target politicians. “The chief justice should not withdraw security from politicians,” he said. He expressed dissatisfaction over security arrangements for the elections.

He said that terrorists could not scare ANP workers through such acts and the party would resume its election campaign on Tuesday. He added that he had no objection if Haroon’s widow was interested in contesting the elections. He said that he would support his nephew’s widow in the by-election on PK-78.

Meanwhile, former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik visited Bilour House on Monday to condole the death of Haroon Bilour.

Talking to media after condolence, he said that Daesh, Lashkar-i-Jhangvi and TTP were involved in terrorism. He said that presence of Daesh in the country was a reality as it had joined hands with TTP and LJ to carry out activities.

Mr Malik said that political parties should chalk out joint strategy to thwart the threat. He said that caretaker government should convene all-party conference before elections and seek opinion of political parties on that vital issue.

All parties now know if fair elections will be carried out they can not rigged the election through their supporters army should be inside the polling station so no one dare to Cheat.

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Be honest

Jul 17, 2018 08:14am

It is insane to ask army to stay out of poling station...... He has poll rigging agenda.

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Jamal

Jul 17, 2018 08:21am

Do yo think that army will use unfair means to support a certain party?
No, yo just fear that army deployment will make it harder for you to use unfair mean, which of course means your defeat.

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Syed D

Jul 17, 2018 08:53am

All political parties have come to know the fact including PMLN, PPP that PTI is going to sweep and win and that is why they are giving different reasons.

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Socrates

Jul 17, 2018 09:04am

ANP's concerns are valid.

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Naveed Arsalan

Jul 17, 2018 09:18am

So that you can rig the poll?

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Taimur

Jul 17, 2018 09:34am

And what did the most corrupt party to rule KPK do for the province ?

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Hafeez, Canada

Jul 17, 2018 09:41am

He is right deploying army will not give ANP chance to rig the elections. So elections will go in others favor.

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Akil Akhtar

Jul 17, 2018 09:41am

When is this Party going to work in the interest of Pakistan and not Afghanistan....

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Shah

Jul 17, 2018 09:43am

ANP Fearing losing elections can boycott them...

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Husnain

Jul 17, 2018 09:57am

They want UN to monitor Elections?

it is good that accused of rigging(especially PML N) have fears in upcoming elections

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Haris

Jul 17, 2018 10:09am

Deployment of Pak Army troops inside polling stations is a very good thing as it will prevent rigging by the polling agents.

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Umair

Jul 17, 2018 10:10am

You need protection for yourself and but no protection for voters because they do not matter

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xyz

Jul 17, 2018 10:16am

what else can you expect from ANP, Achakzai??

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Pro Pakistani

Jul 17, 2018 10:19am

What does he mean? Does he want Army from some other country to stand inside polling booths?

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anonymous

Jul 17, 2018 11:03am

Looks like it is already ensured that Imran Khan would be the next PM of Pakistan.

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Ali Khan

Jul 17, 2018 11:09am

Why can’t we have fair elections. Let Army ensue that no fake votes are given.

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Qazi

Jul 17, 2018 11:09am

you're scared now

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Riaz Ahmad

Jul 17, 2018 11:14am

Fake rants of a corrupt status quo party, with army inside, they will ne be able to rig elections. Country needs hones party like PTI to do proper, much awaited and much need lagislation, and to get rid of status quo vermin of loot and plunder.

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Najum

Jul 17, 2018 11:18am

How will the candidates be "selected" then.

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SMI

Jul 17, 2018 11:19am

Accept their demand but make sure to place camera eye on each corner of their polling stations

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RUMI

Jul 17, 2018 11:32am

I have a feeling that after all such inappropriate efforts Imran Khan will still not become the Prime Minister.

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MA

Jul 17, 2018 12:50pm

Army should be inside each and every poling station to conduct fair elections. These elites have otherwise agenda.

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Wajih Qidwai

Jul 17, 2018 01:51pm

provide some alternate sir

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ZAK

Jul 17, 2018 02:33pm

All their demands will be rejected.

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Nia

Jul 17, 2018 04:08pm

He is right when there is enough evidence of pre poll rigging by Mahakama e Zaraat we can’t take chances with them inside the stations